Why Are People So Rude?

Today's mannerisms are a lost cause. Communication is dead nowadays and I know that. But I can't blame people's rudeness on that because I think they are two separate things. People simply don't care about others because in today's society it's all about you.

Over the past two weeks I don't know if I got struck by bad luck, or if people are just straight up A-holes. On a Thursday night, I went into the AT&T store to get a new phone. There was no one in the store except for my mom and I and then the two employees. It was very obvious that employee A (calling out names, Ed) thought he was superior to employee B. He was rude not only to his co-worker but also to me.

The next day I went to a different AT&T store because who wants to deal with Ed? Not me. I walked in, a lady greets me and helps me get what I need. She told me to wait, so naturally I'm just looking around the store wishing I had nine figures to my name so I could have an iPhone without a case and not worry about shattering it. About two seconds later an older man walks in with guns blazing. Basically, he updated his phone and it completely shut down. Instead of asking about his options for a fix or replacement he starts yelling at this employee - who clearly has nothing to do with his phone issue. He had no understanding of iPhones or iTunes or anything really. But instead of trying to understand it all, he took it upon himself to belittle her and her advice. Unfortunately, she started crying and went to get the manager.

Fast forward a week. My mom, nephew and I were standing line at McDonald's to get drinks. Shocker huh? The line was long and the cashier had just messed up someone's order. She kind of laughed it off and said, "It's Labor Day, we're having fun, ya'll!" There was a lady and her son in front of us. The mom shook her head, rolled her eyes and said, "Too bad it's Memorial Day." It was then their turn to order. The cashier once again kept messing up their order. She clearly didn't have proper training, and she was the only one working up front with a huge line, so I'm sure she was also nervous/in a hurry. The mom turned around and looked at me, rolled her eyes and said, "sorry".

Typically I'm overly nice to people I don't know, but not that day. I literally just starred at her and then looked away without saying anything.

But then it made me think. Where are people's manners. Why aren't people nice anymore? By huffing and puffing and rolling her eyes, what kind of example was that lady setting for my four-year-old nephew who notices EVERYTHING? What happened to people saying 'please' and 'thank you'? Or holding the doors for others, or simply asking people how their day is. No one looks each other in the eyes anymore. Or compliment other people. Why?

People don't think about their body language or how what they are saying may come off rude. People don't think in general. Maybe if people thought more about their words and actions, maybe there wouldn't be so much hate.

To The Girl Who Still Has Her Mom This Christmas

To the girl who is blessed enough to have her momma this Christmas, please remember to soak every last bit of it in.

Please remember to hug her so tight, that the way she smells is locked into your nose. Listen to all the stories you've heard a million times, like you've never heard a single one. Help her, even if it seems completely silly to you, help her mix that cake. Laugh, oh please laugh. Laugh at all her corky ways, at the way she mispronounces words, try's to be hip and use new found lingo, or how she cusses when she forgot to get the rolls out of the oven but quickly asks the Lord for forgiveness. Remember her laugh, etch it into your brain. Make her happy, if she wants to go riding around looking at Christmas lights down the same streets you've went for years, do it. Don't fuss, take her advice, agree to just disagree on things. It's not worth it. Most importantly, remind her over and over how much you love her.

Because unlike you, I'm not able to see my mom on Christmas. I'm not able to see her on birthdays, Thanksgiving, or any other occasion. My time with her is up. Death is the most permanent heartbreak.

How I long to hear her voice, her laugh. To feel her tight embrace. Smell, oh god, what I would give to just be able to smell her. I would absolutely love to go riding around for hours while she ohhs and ahhs at every single house we pass. If I had the opportunity I'd tell her just how much I love her, how I'm so thankful for all the sacrifices she made for me. In fact, I'm not sure I could ever tell her enough.

Some days I wake up and it still doesn't feel real. Others, I panic trying to remember exactly how she sounded. Because, I don't want to forget. I don't want to forget a single characteristic about her. Not one.

Take time, not just on holidays, or special occasions to be with your mom. Even if it's just you two piled up watching reruns of "The Little House on the Prairie", soak it in.

You only get one momma. Nobody could ever take her place. She's your rock.

25 Moments Of 'A Christmas Story' You Remember While Watching It 10 Times In A Row On Christmas

Let's be real, you can't go through the holiday season without watching "A Christmas Story." It's a classic. I have to watch it at least once around Christmastime. Since it's iconic, it's very easy to remember everything that goes on throughout the film. Here are twenty five of the most memorable moments of the movie.